Citation

Xiang G, Wu Z, Zhao X, Zhao X, Feng Y. World Neurosurg. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: fengyafei2005@163.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.wneu.2019.08.125

PMID

31470149

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Since the first report about nail-gun injuries in 1959, there was an average of approximately 37,000 patients hurt by nail-gun and treated in emergency departments. Carotid arterial injury by nail gun has been reported,but vertebral artery damage is extremely rare. CASE DESCRIPTION: 42-year-old man was transported to the emergency department after suffering an accidental self-inflicted nail gun injury to the left lateral aspect of his neck. Radiographic imaging of the cervical spine revealed a 3.1cm metallic nail in the C-5 region. A computed tomogram(CT) angiogram revealed the nail passing through the left C-5 transverse foramen and compressing the left vertebral artery(VA). He was immediately brought to the operation room for removal. At one month follow-up, the patient did not have any neck complaints and postoperative CT angiogram indicated the patient was asymptomatic with no signs of complication or infection.

CONCLUSION: On the basis of our experience and a review of the literature, in terms of treating a nail gun injury to the cervical spine, we would like emphasize that preoperative CT or CT angiogiam is necessary to assess the location and the shape of the nail, especially the nail with barbers or washers. Improving awareness of the risk from accidental nail gun trauma may lead to better prevention of this rare but potentially life-threatening injury.

Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

injury; nail gun; spine; vertebral artery